Carrying strap for bodyboard

ABSTRACT

A carrying strap is provided for use with a bodyboard. The strap has a first loop section and a second loop section, each loop section defining an opening, and the loop sections connected by a handle section. A portion of the bodyboard is received in the opening of the first loop section and another portion of the bodyboard is received in the opening of the second loop section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carrying straps, and in particular, to a carrying strap that is adapted for use with bodyboards.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Bodyboards have been very popular in recent times. These bodyboards can be snowboards used for snowboarding, or surfing boards used for surfing. Most of these boards are rather large and long because they are sized to allow a human body to rest on them when in use. As such, these boards can be large and rather difficult to carry around. Usually, these boards are carried in a full-size bag, which can be costly and bulky.

Therefore, there still remains a need for a carrying device that allows a user to carry a bodyboard around in a convenient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention is to provide a carrying device that allows a user to carry a bodyboard around in a convenient manner.

In order to accomplish the objectives of the present invention, the present invention provides a carrying strap for use with a bodyboard. The strap has a first loop section and a second loop section, each loop section defining an opening, and the loop sections connected by a handle section. A portion of the bodyboard is received in the opening of the first loop section and another portion of the bodyboard is received in the opening of the second loop section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrying strap according to the present invention, shown in use in one orientation with a bodyboard that is shown in phantom in dotted lines.

FIG. 2 illustrates how the strap of the present invention, in the orientation of FIG. 1, is carried by a user.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carrying strap according to the present invention, shown in use in another orientation with a bodyboard that is shown in phantom in dotted lines.

FIG. 4 illustrates how the strap of the present invention, in the orientation of FIG. 2, is carried by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, the strap 10 according to the present invention has two looped sections 12, 14 connected by a carrying section 16. Each looped section 12 and 14 can be formed by taking an end portion of the strap 10, looping it around to form an opening 18 and 20, respectively, and then securing (e.g., by stitching) each end 22 and 24, respectively, to the strap 10 to form the looped sections 12 and 14. The openings 18, 20 are sized to allow a portion of a bodyboard 30 to fit snugly therethrough, as shown in the FIGS. As a result, the width of the openings 18, 20 (when the looped sections 12, 14 are stretched) should be about the same as the width of a standard-sized bodyboard 30.

The strap 10 is preferably made of a nylon webbing material, such as those commonly used for camera straps, backpacks and luggage handles. An elastic webbing 32 and 34 can be provided at a bottom portion of each looped section 12 and 14, respectively. The elastic webbings 32, 34 are generally made of polyester and the material is commonly used for suspenders and waist belts, for example. The elastic webbings 32, 34 are sewn to the strap 10 and allow the looped sections 12, 14 to be stretchable so as to give a snug fit to the bodyboard 30 when the bodyboard 30 is held inside the openings 18, 20.

In addition, .a slideable shoulder harness 36 can be provided along the strap 10 between the two looped sections 12, 14. In fact, the carrying section 16 of the strap 10 between the looped sections 12, 14 can define a handle section 38. The strap 10 can have a consistent width of about four centimeters throughout its length (and throughout the looped sections 12, 14), or can have a varying width throughout. For example, the width can be greater at the handle section 38 so as to increase the weight-bearing area of the shoulder (thereby improving comfort), or lesser at the looped sections 12, 14 so as to reduce the amount of material being used.

The strap 10 of the present invention can be used in two different orientations by the user. FIGS. 1 and 2 show how the strap 10 can be used to carry a bodyboard 30 around a person's shoulder. FIGS. 1 and 2 show how the strap 10 can be used to carry a bodyboard 30 on a person's back.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the strap 10 is arranged so that the handle section 38 is positioned directly above a first side 50 of the bodyboard 30, and the webbings 32 and 34 both positioned at a second side 52 that is opposite the first side 50. With the strap 10 in such an orientation, the user merely drapes the handle section 38 over his/her neck and shoulder, with the bodyboard 30 carried in a horizontal manner along the side of the user's body.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the strap 10 is arranged so that the handle section 38 is positioned between the first and second sides 50, 52 of the bodyboard 30, and the webbings 32 and 34 positioned at opposite sides 50 and 52, respectively. This can be accomplished by starting from the orientation of FIG. 1 and then sliding the looped section 12 around the bodyboard 30 so that the webbing 32 is positioned at the first side 50. With the strap 10 in such an orientation, the user merely drapes the handle section 38 over his/her neck and chest, with the bodyboard 30 carried in a vertical manner along the back of the user's body.

The strap 10 of the present invention provides important benefits over the prior art carrying cases. First, the strap 10 uses much less material than a carrying case, thereby minimizing waste, bulk, size, weight and cost. Second, the strap 10 and its loop sections 12, 14 allow the bodyboard 30 to be carried in two different ways by a user, so that the user can decide which carrying mode is most convenient and comfortable.

While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A combination, comprising: a bodyboard having a board that has a first side and an opposite second side; and a carrying strap having a first loop section and a second loop section, each loop section defining an opening, and the loop sections connected by a handle section, with a portion of the bodyboard received in the opening of the first loop section and another portion of the bodyboard received in the opening of the second loop section.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein each loop section has a bottom portion, and with the bottom portion of the first and second loop sections positioned at the second side of the bodyboard.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein each loop section has a bottom portion, and with the bottom portion of the first loop section positioned at the first side of the bodyboard and the bottom portion of the second loop section positioned at the second side of the bodyboard.
 4. The combination of claim 1, wherein each loop section has a bottom portion, and with an elastic webbing provided at each bottom portion.
 5. A method of carrying a bodyboard, comprising: providing a bodyboard having a board that has a first side and an opposite second side; providing a carrying strap having a first loop section and a second loop section, each loop section defining an opening, and the loop sections connected by a handle section; snugly receiving a portion of the bodyboard in the opening of the first loop section; snugly receiving another portion of the bodyboard in the opening of the second loop section; and draping the handle section over a part of a user's body.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein each loop section has a bottom portion, and further including the step of positioning the bottom portion of the first and second loop sections at the second side of the bodyboard.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein each loop section has a bottom portion, and further including the step of positioning the bottom portion of the first loop section at the first side of the bodyboard, and positioning the bottom portion of the second loop section at the second side of the bodyboard.
 8. The method of claim 6, further including the step of providing an elastic webbing at each bottom portion to snugly fit the bodyboard inside the openings.
 9. The method of claim 7, further including the step of providing an elastic webbing at each bottom portion to snugly fit the bodyboard inside the openings. 